I love avocados, sometimes (read: daily) stand on my head to get my creative juices flowing, and I could listen to The Beatles sing, “I’ve Just Seen A Face” everyday, for the rest of forever.

Wondering what goes on here? Yup, so are the rest of us.

1. I am a lifestyle photographer. I have the most remarkable clients in the world, and I share their images here to inspire us all to live life with greater love, meaning and joy.

2. I am a writer. This blog is full of many of the curious thinks I have thunk.

3. I am a speaker and life/business consultant. I post upcoming speaking engagements and consulting information here as well.

4. I am most fulfilled by my work as a wife and mother to my 4 sons, one of whom now lives in Heaven. I share bits and pieces of our journey here on this blog. Including our ongoing struggle with grief, our experiences with ADHD and SPD, and our solid faith in a God much bigger than the challenges we face.

But ultimately, I hope that this blog is about something much bigger than all of that.My dream is for this blog to be a place where real life comes to be celebrated and enthusiastically embraced. Not just the pretty stuff, with tailored hems, clean lines,and the new colors for spring . . . but everything else, too. The frazzled mornings, broken hearts, crazy dreams, messy kitchens. . . even the fear, failure, hopelessness and devastation. I want this blog to be a place for every bit of what makes us all living, breathing, feeling human beings, experiencing together this remarkable thing called life.

May this be a place of passion, purpose, laughter, tears, friendship, encouragement and inspiration for us all.

In 2010, our perfect *”Baby Gavin” returned to Heaven after losing a courageous battle with **Pertussis (whooping cough). We are eternally and profoundly grateful to the thousands upon thousands (upon thousands) of friends and strangers from all over the world, of all faiths and creeds, who united with our family in prayer during Baby Gavin’s horrific illness and who grieved with us and continued to petition God in our behalf during the dark days following his tragic death. You may read Gavin’s story as it unfolded by visiting my old blog here. I am committed to sharing my ongoing struggles with grief and our journey toward joy here on the new blog. I am always humbled and amazed by the continued outpouring of love and support. Thank you for sharing in our journey and inspiring us with your unceasing love! God is good!

*My brother Gavin passed away unexpectedly in 2007. With all these Angel Gavins, it can get a little confusing at times, so just know that when I refer to “Gavin” I’m referring to my wonderful brother. When I refer to “Baby Gavin,” it is in reference to my perfect son, both of whom I cannot wait to see in Heaven!

**You will periodically see me blog about The Sounds of Pertussis campaign. I am an unpaid spokesperson and am only compensated travel expenses where applicable for my involvement with this important cause. Join our fight against this deadly communicable disease at www.soundsofpertussis.com or like us on facebook at www.facebook.com/soundsofpertussis.

I don’t know how to express the feelings I have as it relates to home decorating (is that even what you call it?? I’m dead serious right now. Is there a better term that would make me sound less ridiculous?). It’s not that I hate it. I don’t. I actually love it, and I’m totally inspired by creative living spaces. But the reality is this, I CANNOT engage in this process for myself without losing my mind. Not a chance in Africa.

Two things you need to know about me.

1. If I don’t feel I have the time, energy or know how to do something well/right, I will resist (albeit subconsciously) doing it at all.

2. I think that the state of the space a person lives in matters. A lot. I cannot overemphasize how much I believe this to be true.

Another fact about the current state of my life:

Moving sure flipped my groove right on her purdy lil’ face. I’m still struggling to get back on my feet. There are boxes still to be unpacked, and I’ve done next to nothing to make this house our home. It’s tricky to determine how much time and energy (and cold, hard cash) you’re willing to throw at a place where you’ll only be living in for 2 years, max. Granted, starting over from complete and total scratch (on a student’s budget) doesn’t make this process any easier to manage. Something you don’t think about: when you move from Hawaii to the mainland, you sell virtually everything you own, because the cost of shipping is so very outrageous. Thankfully, when we got here, we were able to pick up a TON of great, used furniture from my parents (or we’d be sleeping on air mattresses for sure). SO THANKFUL FOR YOU MOM AND DAD (make that reason number seven million and one). BUT this random collection of furniture lends itself to a feeling of . . . well, um. . . randomness. . . and not in the cool, eclectic kind of way that we all love to love.

Decorating.

Erg. I say the word and I can feel my anxiety level rising. It’s not my thing. I’m too indecisive and I simply don’t enjoy the complexity. . . the feeling of permanence. Is anyone else with me on this?! “I’m going to be MARRIED to that couch! I can’t make that kind of commitment. Let’s just spend the next 2 years sitting on the floor.” You know, that kind of stuff. Toooootally reasonable level of stress over something so important. Obviously.

Well, everything is about to change.

I’m putting my foot down and MAKING the time for this. Even though I hate it, even though I’m busier than ever, even though I’d rather be at the dentist. . . getting a root canal. The pigs have officially flown and it’s time for me to step up and reclaim my living space. My family deserves to live in an inspiring space (and so does their mom’s creativity and overall feeling of well being. . . read: “sanity”).

Sooooo. . . I’ve done what I do best (and what I believe in with all my heart). I’ve engaged the help of others who are actually passionate about this process and will thus do it 1,000 times better than I ever could. I’ll keep you posted on how things go.

The only thing I know right now is that I want to make sure my images are central to everything that happens in this house. They are a part of my soul, and they tell the story of our life. I want my space to be simply dripping with them.

Tory:
I have ALL THREE of the photo displays pinned on Pinterest!! (have you checked out that site?!! SO great for inspiration - you can search photo display and a bunch of fun ones...including all these will pop up!!) I have been wanting to do the heart in polaroids over out bed, but haven't got to it yet AND That bottom left hand one (from babble).....is my favorite thing ever!! And if we had an extra wall (currently Sean's surfboards are hanging on the only one without windows) I would do that!! ALSO, I never thought I would hear myself say it but my most favorite thing in our house is our couch....and it is from IKEA...super super super cheap & the slip cover goes into the washing machine!! Win, Win! Just in case you really are sitting on the floor for fear of being married to a couch :) lol Good luck my friend!!! xoxo October 11, 2011 8:13 pm

Jessica LaTour:
Here, here! "Decorating" can be fun but stressful, too! Pinterest has so many different kinds of ideas + inspiration. It's a really awesome source to get the creative wheels spinning!
Or it might just make your head explode. ; ) October 11, 2011 8:16 pm

natalie:
Tory! NO FREAKING WAY! I cannot believe it! And YES, I have heard of Pinterest, but I'm afraid of it. I think I will end up in some abyss somewhere, spending HOURS upon HOURS looking at pictures and avoiding my real life. I'm too weak willed! Ha ha!! October 11, 2011 8:19 pm

natalie:
Jessica, It's all that inspiration that freaks me out! There are so many wonderful options that it makes me completely immobile! October 11, 2011 8:29 pm

Tory:
I SWEAR!!! We literally threw our 1 year old Room & Board super $$ couch OUT into the alley and replaced it with the $450 one from Ikea and have NEVER been happier! AND they have a 10 year warranty on their cushions!! And yes, Pinterest will suck you in...but it's also nice to have all the things you find on the internet in one place & organized rather than having to search through bookmarks to find things!! :) October 11, 2011 8:33 pm

natalie:
Tory, I still can't get over the fact that you have all 3 of those images pinned. Amazing! Go us! October 11, 2011 8:38 pm

rachel B:
Ok friend, YOU have always had such a good way of making your house look and feel like a HOME. I love the ideas you have up there. I can totally see you using both of those ideas...although I lean more towards the one on the right. I LOVE the balance and feel. and I know you like the tidiness of it also. AND of course its white....a little something from Hawaii, bright airy colors. You are amazing, I want to see your house...although I have absolutely NO style when it comes to a home..you know i'm right! October 11, 2011 10:08 pm

natalie:
Rachel, Rachel, Rachel you are always so hard on yourself about your house. I love your house. It feels like a home. Safe, happy, FULL of awesome people, comfortable. Yes, you have the gift that REALLY matters, not just to be able to make a house BEAUTIFUL, but to make it feel wonderful to actually LIVE IN. There is not a more inviting home on the planet. So there. October 12, 2011 3:53 am

Shari Hanson:
i feel EXACTLY the same way -- about everything you said. we have been renting for 10 years...and during that time, have moved 9 times. So, committing to ANY kind of decorating scheme has been really impossible for me since every place is so temporary, I just don't see how it can be done. However, we are quite positive that our current place will be our LAST rental before we can afford to BUY something, and even that is at least 3 years down the road...so I'm finally wanting to TRY to make this place a HOME and make it personal, all while not spending too much money! Can't wait to see what you come up with! Good luck! :) October 12, 2011 5:36 am

kristy:
My friends have a photo display wall in their house. They have their wedding picture in the center and then it builds from their with pictures of their family as they grow.... October 12, 2011 12:25 pm

Emily:
I've been reading your blog forever (love it, your photography, your candid writing...all of it) and I think this may be the first time I've commented, but it's because I completely understand your 'decorating' predicament. It sounds like you already have a solution in the works, but I just wanted to tell you quickly about my saving grace: a group called 'Design Hop'. Basically it's a group of friends/acquaintances/co-workers/whomever who get together to help someone solve a design dilemma in their home. Everyone comes, assesses the area and the ideas start flying. We move furniture, swap things from other rooms, step back and take a look, move the furniture again, and use spray paint with abandon (one way to create a cohesive effect with random pieces of furniture). People in the group are encouraged to bring things from their own homes that they are no longer using and, let me tell you, the results are nothing short of miraculous. Every so often there is more grunt work to be done (painting walls, making slip covers, etc) but without fail, the spaces are completely transformed, and I think the biggest reason for that is that other people can see my things and my spaces without all the baggage that I have attached to them. It's a messy process for sure, and there are always moments of doubt, but it never fails to come together in a butterflies-in-your-stomach sort of way.
The group was started by an interior designer friend, Dana, but she really keeps her opinions to herself and has let the group take on a life and momentum of its own, and it really is a beautiful thing. I'll include a link to Dana's blog. The first video is a clip from a morning show here in St. Louis who did a short segment about the group... just never mind my embarrassing interview. http://seedanado.wordpress.com/
Sorry for the monologue, but I am true believer in the way your home and the space around you can effect your being in a very real way. I'm so glad you have people in your corner to help you get to the place where you house will feel like a home and will really be the haven that you need it to be. I'm so excited for you! Good luck! October 12, 2011 3:55 pm

natalie:
Kristy, THAT is SUCH a cute idea. :) Love it. October 12, 2011 3:57 pm

natalie:
Emily! THAT IS SO AWESOME!!! How cool!! I could totally see little groups like this popping up all over the country! I LOVE that idea, so much! October 12, 2011 4:02 pm

Heidi:
the greatest part about these sweet displays is that i'm positive you have phenomenal pictures to fill them with! October 12, 2011 6:39 pm

Rachel Boatright DeVault:
Oh my goodness. I hear you--loud and clear--on this issue!! Phill keeps telling me how ridiculous it is that none of my photos are hanging up (I know, I know, it IS), but I am SO STUCK with regards to money and....well, this is the name for what you described: Perfectionist Paralysis. I will be THRILLED to see how this process goes for you, as I'm doing the very same thing. October 13, 2011 4:55 pm

Rachel Boatright DeVault:
Okay, I'm trying to fine where I could actually purchase that last option (on the right, from Design Updates/Land of Nod) and not finding the actual supplier....? October 13, 2011 5:05 pm

They sent me the aluminum case (below, left) for my iphone and it’s ridiculous. I originally wanted the copper (below, right), but they were out and I have no patience. . . especially not for something as awesome as this! Still on the older version of the iphone/ipad? . . . never fear, they’ve got something for everyone over on their site. Check it out!

Want one of your very own? FOR FREEEEEEEEEEE?!

TO ENTER:

1. All you have to do to enter is comment below.
2. Want an additional entry? Tweet, Facebook, Tumble, Blog an active link to this giveaway, and come back and comment to that effect and BAM! You’ve been entered again (and again and again if you do all 4!).
3. Want yet ANOTHER chance to win?! Head on over and “like” KarasKustoms on FB, come back and tell me so, and POW! You’ve got another chance at one of these bad boys of your very own.

Winner will be announced Friday afternoon (10/14).

I hope you’re having a wonderful week! xo! N

PS. Can’t wait to see if you’re a winner? Need one NOW? I get it. Use the discount code LOVENAT for 10% off your order!

Summer Allen:
<3 the cases! I saw Cicily post and have been a stalker.
* Liked on fb a few weeks ago.
* Posted links to pics on husbands fb as an idea for my Christmas present ;)
*shared contest link on my status
Love all the products even though my hubby was suprised because i'm somewhat a girly girl. The cases just look rad, and are so original!
~Summer Allen October 29, 2011 4:59 pm

Hello Monday.

Welcome, welcome, and I mean that sincerely, for you are TRULY a welcomed relief. Newness. Fresh starts. A clean slate. Yes, I like you, Monday. Especially after a week like this last.

Oy ve!

(In case you were wondering, the answer is “yes.” Bffs do in fact develop identical speech patterns, because I totally absorbed this from Rach, who definitely absorbed the abnormally frequent use of the word “absurd” from yours truly).

I wasn’t sure exactly where last week went awry, but awry it did in fact go. All week long, I felt sloppy and sluggish and simply out of sorts. These problems (and their intensity) only increased as the week progressed–and even developed into real, physical symptoms (cold sore, pinched nerve in the shoulder, aches and pains EVERYWHERE = BLEH).

What the heck gives?!

After much contemplation, for real, I’m a little obsessed with figuring out why I behave the way I do. . . particularly when my behavior is less than conducive to peace, happiness and overall productivity. So again, after much contemplation, I have boiled the initial onset of the problem down to one singular culprit: the lack of sleep. From there, it was an uncontrollable downward spiral to the gates of stupid, lame and I hate your ugly face . . . or in other words, my nemesis, exhaustion and the terrible company she keeps.

The facts:

I stayed up unreasonably late one night early in the week. This in an attempt to get ahead on some projects before Richie headed out of town. Totally NOT worth it in the end. I paid for it all.week.long. . . in the form of foggy brain, sluggishness, poor judgment, severely uncharacteristic flakiness, an overwhelming lack of patience, bloating, bags under my eyes and worst of all, a terrible OBSESSION with poor (read “ghastly”) food choices (is it just me or do you want to eat everything within a 40 mile radius when you’re groggy?) BLEH. This week, it seriously sucked to be me. I was a disaster.

Sleep matters.

It simply does. There just aren’t two ways about it. If I want to be healthy, happy and productive, I have to get an ample amount of rest. If I want better skin, a healthier brain and more energy to make it through my day, I can’t afford to scrimp on sleep. If I want to be less of an overall suck-face to the people around me (who deserve the best I have to give), I simply have to get some sleep, for Pete’s cryin’ sake.

We tell ourselves it doesn’t matter, we tell ourselves we work better late at night, we tell ourselves that we’ll catch up the next day, but the bottom line is this:

I know, I’m obviously sleep deprived. Try though I might, the above (absolute absurdity) constitutes all the cleverness I could muster on this sleepy Sunday night. I’ll do better tomorrow. Scout’s honor. By the way, in the above scenario, you = the Sicilian. Never mind. Ignore me. I’m completely out of control.

xo, N

Stay tuned:

Monday afternoon = a fun review/giveaway of a very exciting Apple related product. . . in honor of the late, the GREAT, Mr. Steve Jobs. Naturally.

Amie W:
Good Morning sunshine! Thanks for the early post! It gave me a chuckle, as usual! October 10, 2011 3:43 am

Jaye Tatone:
What a great post! I agree--great reminder. Being a student in University (and a procrastinator, naturally) I spend much of my awake time in the wee hours of the morning. It's easy to think I can "get ahead" by staying up unreasonably late but your words remind me of the headaches, "foggyness" and general feeling down for days after. Thank you! October 10, 2011 8:48 am

natalie:
@Jaye, Oh. I know those headaches all too well. Yuck. Actually, I'm quite certain I have one right now! :) October 10, 2011 5:15 pm

natalie:
@April, I really think I could sleep for a week solid if I got the chance. . . October 10, 2011 5:16 pm

Shari Hanson:
natalie at this completely sleep deprived time of my life (baby is 2.5 weeks old) i can 1000000% relate to needing more sleep for pete's sake! kudos to you for realizing that sleep makes all the difference...and even more kudos for realizing that in order to give the best you have to the ones who deserve it most, you must sleep! hope you slept well last night and had pleasant dreams. :) and p.s. references to the princess bride are welcome and appreciated ANY time. :) October 10, 2011 5:42 pm

CA:
Totally with you on this one. I have friends that will stay up all hours editing, but I just can't do it. I know I will pay for it the next day. I HAVE to have my sleep or I turn into something not at all nice and pretty scary. October 11, 2011 2:41 am

natalie:
CA, If I stay up late editing, my work gets progressively more sloppy as the night wears on. I'm just not as patient or particular when I'm exhausted. Editing into the wee hours of the morning doesn't feel fair to my clients, because my work ism overall, just suckier. ;) October 12, 2011 3:57 am

Rachel Boatright DeVault:
WHAT THE CRAP. This was my day on Tuesday. I was an absolute grizzly after going to bed at 2 the night before. So that following night I made myself go to bed at 10, and the morning was like a revelation. Ridiculous how much it helped. Also awesome. October 13, 2011 5:08 pm

Want to book a session or a one on one photography/business consultation while I’m in town?! Email me at natalienorton{at}gmail{dot}com to reserve your space! Just in time for holiday cards! Woot woot!

I have availability Saturday, October 15th and Monday, October 17th!

I’m DYING to see the ocean. Even if it’s colder, dirtier, and basically just miserable compared to the one I’m used to. ;) All joking aside, I’m in love with California beaches. They feel nostalgic and magical and make me feel at home. Cannot wait! PLUS we’ll get to see favorite family and friends and spend quality time with people we adore. I.am.so.excited.I.might.EXPLODE!

xo!

N

PS. I was sloppy and negligent and pinched a nerve at CrossFit today. I ended up nearly immobile! Thank Heaven for new BFF Jenni, her wonderful husband Sterling . . . aaaaaaaaaand the strange Mormon chiropractor . . . with an office in a strip center adjacent to Safeway. We listened to Jack Johnson while he bashed on vaccinations (and the entire state of Hawaii), put me through the most miserable pain of my life. . . aaaaaaaaaand completely cured my excruciating pain + restored me to nearly 100%! What.a.day!

Aundrea:
Your new BFF Jenni is my cousin...she's the one that turned me on to your blog....our family connection is through the Cardon line, so I think it's cool that you have a son named Cardon. Tell her I said hi:) October 7, 2011 4:46 am

Lindsay R:
Have a wonderful time in San Diego! The beach that looks closest to Hawaii is WindnSea beach in La Jolla-- it's my favorite. Even the sand is a little larger grain like Hawaii's. and it's great for pictures.
and your last post was awesome. haha swinging tampons around. only a little boy would think of that.
Lindsay October 8, 2011 6:22 am

Amie W:
Giddy, just thinking about you being here! I hope you are coming with your whole crew!? October 8, 2011 9:30 am

natalie:
Amie, Yup! The whole fam. Well. . . I hope. Richie is still up in the air with other commitments, so we'll see about him. At the very least, the boys and I will be there. I saw your email. I'll get back to you tomorrow! xoxo! October 9, 2011 5:59 pm

Aundrea:
So cool! Sorry I didn't check back until now:) My mom, who is the Cardon lives down in Queen Creek now...we should have a little cousin reunion/meet each other next time I get to visit:) October 13, 2011 9:01 am

Congrats to Monique Schaffer for winning the t-shirt giveaway from Designer Teez! Email your mailing address to natalienorton{at}gmail{dot}com and I’ll get this off to you faster than you can say, “naughty toddler.” xo!

Monique Schaffer:
So happy happy happy to win this.. it totally made my day.. it was a great attitude adjustment for my morning -- reminded me I need to laugh at myself as a parent a little more.. = ) THANK YOU!!!! October 7, 2011 5:01 am

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